‘In addition to working out for the Bills in late December last season, Collins considered joining the Bills as a UDFA in 2015. Rex Ryan, then the head coach, made a trip to Baton Rouge to try and convince Collins to join Buffalo’s roster, but he eventually opted to sign a three-year, $1.7 million contract that was fully guaranteed with the Dallas Cowboys. It took some time, but Buffalo was finally able to get Collins.’
BillsBeat - April 5, 2024
Bills add quality OL depth, sign OT Collins to one-year deal
‘Collins, 30, sustained an ACL injury while with the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2022-23 playoffs. To begin the 2023-24 season, Collins was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, which led to his release from Cincinnati in September of 2023. Collins later joined the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.’
Solutions for Bills to replace production of Stefon Diggs starts with who's already on the roster
‘What the Bills currently have is a chance to craft a more diverse offense, and although Diggs was an elite receiver for the Bills, both he and Davis lined up split wide more than 70% of their snaps in Buffalo. The three top receiving threats remaining — Dalton Kincaid, Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir — all played more than 50% of their snaps out of the slot last season.’
Antwan Staley: Bills contending window still open for business with Josh Allen under center
‘After Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Allen is arguably the best quarterback in the sport. No one has more passing and rushing touchdowns combined than Allen (173) during the last four seasons. Also, only Mahomes has thrown for more yards (19,012) than Allen (17,540) during that span.’
Buffalo Bills agree to sign offensive tackle La’el Collins to 1-year deal, agent confirms to the AP
‘Collins is attempting a return to the NFL after missing all of last season because of a knee injury sustained while playing for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022. He closed last season on the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad in returning to the team where he spent his first seven NFL seasons.’
Bills sign veteran OT La'el Collins to one-year deal, agent says
‘Collins adds significant tackle experience, notably right at right tackle, to an offensive line room that includes left tackle Dion Dawkins and right tackle Spencer Brown. Dawkins was signed to a three-year extension last month, while Brown is entering the final year of his rookie deal.’
Bills banned one NFL team from trying to make a trade for Stefon Diggs, per report
‘”From what I do know, he was allowed to seek a trade from anybody in the league, except the Kansas City Chiefs,” Simms said on “PFT Live” Thursday. “That’s what I’ve been told by multiple people. He was allowed to do that. The Chiefs were the only team they weren’t going to trade [to].”‘
Bills sign former Cowboys, Bengals offensive tackle La'el Collins to one-year deal
‘Collins, 30, has been available since his practice squad contract with the Cowboys expired after Dallas was eliminated from the 2023 playoffs. Prior to re-signing with the Cowboys, Collins was released by the Bengals in September after he was placed on the team’s reserve/physically unable to perform list. Collins was still recovering from a torn ACL/MCL injury that was sustained against the Patriots in Week 16 of the 2022 season.’
La'el Collins gets sizable contract with Buffalo Bills
‘Collins got significantly more than the league minimum, according to Bleacher Reports Jordan Schultz. Collins agreed to a deal worth up to $6.25 million. This is a similar value deal to what he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals before the 2022 season. That contract was for three years, $21 million, a shade higher than the contract he agreed upon with the Bills.’
Reports: Bills sign offensive tackle La'el Collins to one-year deal
‘During the 2022 offseason, Collins was released by the Cowboys and decided to then sign with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he started 15 games before suffering a torn ACL and MCL late in the year.’
Opinion: What are the Bills doing?
‘It would appear the Bills decided to trade Diggs for a few different reasons, including his declining production during the second half of last season, his age (he will turn 31 in November), a contract that has massive salaries and cap numbers left, and the fact that his act might have been wearing thin for management. All are valid reasons, but this creates a Grand Canyon-sized hole for an offense that relies and thrives on its passing game.’
Opinion: Choo Choose your path
‘You want them to wait and draft four guys in the fourth round? That’s gambling just the same as trading up is. You get more kicks at the can, but chances are you’re not getting the best talent.’
Opinion: How should Diggs be remembered in Buffalo?
‘They did address some depth issues at receiver with the signing of Curtis Samuel, but with the hole now left by Diggs and the very limited supply of notable names in free agency, it feels like the Bills could have set themselves up better by making this move sooner.’
What options do the Buffalo Bills have at wide receiver after trading Stefon Diggs?
‘For example, the idea of trading up wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for Beane. He’s traded up in the first round four times since taking over in 2018. With a loaded wide receiver class, this may be the year to be patient, unless they are targeting one of the players expected to go early in the first round. Even if they add a player in free agency or a trade, the Bills will likely use one of their top two draft picks on a wide receiver.’
A closer look at the impact Stefon Diggs had on and off the field while with the Buffalo Bills
‘Whether that was his community-based charity work or simply playing catch with young fans before every game, he continually showed he cared about the fan base he played for.’